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A wind-driven wildfire exploded in size to 35,000 acres as it raged out of control in L.A. and Ventura counties, threatening tens of thousands of homes and spurring new evacuation orders Friday afternoon.

Two fatalities were reported in Malibu that were possibly related to the Woolsey Fire Friday night, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Investigator Nani Cholakians said.

The deaths were first discovered about 4:45 p.m. in the 33000 block of Mulholland Highway, Deputy Tony Moore of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Information Bureau said in a written statement.

"The area has been contained, but due to the location, elements and hazards in the area regarding the Woolsey and Hill fires, homicide detectives will respond near sunrise," he said.

No further details were available.

The Woolsey Fire has already destroyed numerous homes and structures in areas such as Oak Park, Calabasas and Bell Canyon, with flames threatening to burn down more despite firefighters' best efforts.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby estimated that 100 structures have been lost, though he cautioned the total amount won't be known until damage assessment teams are sent out, which won't happen until Saturday.

Flames began encroaching onto the campus of Pepperdine University shortly after 11 p.m., aerial footage from Sky5 showed. The campus planned to have students and staff "shelter in place" through the night.

All students and faculty were safe, the school said via Twitter about 1:30 a.m.

"No permanent structures have been lost, and all individuals on campus remain safe in relocation sites," according to the online statement.

Los Angeles County Fire strike teams and air operations are working to contain the flames around the Malibu campus. No permanent structures have been lost, and all individuals on campus remain safe in relocation sites. #pepperdine#woolseyfire

Firefighters were challenged by high winds, which -- coupled with low visibility -- forced firefighting aircraft to be grounded at times on Friday.

Officials noted that flames remain "very active" in Westlake, Calabasas, Bell Canyon and the area south of the 101 to the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

Meanwhile, fire movement in the north and west parts of Thousand Oaks has moderated, giving firefighters a chance to perform mop up operations and begin perimeter control.

About 75 percent of residents in that city have been forced to leave their homes, according to Mayor Andy Fox.

Fueled by strong winds with gusts of between 50 to 60 mph, flames jumped the 101 Freeway at three separate points -- in Westlake, Agoura Hills and Calabasas -- on Friday and began burning toward the Pacific Ocean.

The wildfire erupted the day before along the Los Angeles/Ventura county border and increased to 14,000 acres in size overnight.

By 12:30 p.m. Friday, the massive inferno threatened populated areas of Malibu, and city officials were urging all residents to leave their homes.

"Fire is now burning out of control and heading into populated areas of Malibu. All residents must evacuate immediately," the city said in an alert.

Since then, evacuations have been issued for Hidden Hills, Topanga Canyon, Monte Nido, Wood Ranch, Long Canyon and the Calabasas area.

Officials implored all residents to heed evacuation orders when they come in, warning that a failure to do so could result in loss of life.

The Hill Fire was around 4,500 acres, downgraded from previous estimates of more than 6,000 acres, Ventura County fire Capt. Stan Ziegler said. "We were able to fly the fire today and get a more accurate measurement."

It was 15 percent contained, he said.

Diminished activity at the Hill Fire has allowed officials to concentrate more on the Woolsey Fire, Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said during a morning news conference.

A number of structures were lost in the firefight overnight, Lorenzen said.

The raging inferno also forced the closure of a stretch of the 101 Freeway just before 6 a.m., as flames from the Woolsey Fire stretched across lanes to the south side near Liberty Canyon Road, the Fire Department tweeted.

Ventura County Fire Department Captain Scott Dettorre told KTLA he was concerned that as the fire crossed the freeway "it will make its historic and typical run all the way down Pacific Coast Highway. Threatening more homes, more property, more lives."

Mandatory evacuations in Malibu were issued a short time later.

As flames continue their march toward the ocean, residents attempting to evacuate were urged to head south toward Santa Monica before turning further inland.

Woolsey fire facts

-The fire began about 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Woolsey Canyon, east of Simi Valley.